Five Things You Should Know about Bicycling Safety

Continued safety campaignThe Kirksville Police Department is continuing its effort to educate bicyclists and motorists alike on safety and enforcement issues. After embarking on its initial safety campaign this fall, KPD released a safety and awareness pamphlet this week as a guide on how to stay safe, maintain safe equipment and follow all city ordinances on biking.

Changing mindsDaily Express Blogger and bicycling advocate Rachel Ruhlen noted that more bicyclists are on the road now, both as weather warms but also as biking catches on with more Kirksville residents.The additional wheels on the road help increase the collective’s visibility as well as the individual bicyclist.“More bikes out there, the more motorists see them and know how to drive around them,” she said. “And the safer it gets for everyone.”

Changing streetsKirksville has also expanded its current biking routes across the city in recent years, from re-laning Jefferson Street to include two bike lanes to restriping the lanes along Franklin Street.This year, a grant-funded sidewalk along La Harpe Street will connect the hiking/biking trails, the downtown and both A.T. Still University and Truman State. The city is also utilizing grant funds to purchase more than 15 bike racks for the downtown to encourage bicycle commerce and healthy lifestyles.

Safety tips for motoristsKPD notes that motorists also have a responsibility when it comes to bicyclist safety, reminding drivers to share the road.Motorists should provide at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist but should wait if the way is not clear.Drivers should also yield to bicyclists when appropriate, like when turning and be on the lookout for bikes due to their smaller frame and presence.Accidents involving a bicycle and a vehicle will nearly always end most poorly for the bicyclist.

Safety tips for bicyclistsKPD highlights first that all bicyclists are vehicles when traveling on streets or highways and should be treated as such.It reminds bicyclists to “do your part” in maintaining safety for all by always following the rules of the road, including that pedestrians have the right-of-way over both bikes and cars.The safety pamphlet also highlights the danger of parked cars and sudden door openings, encouraging riders to observe the “door zone” and encourages bicyclists maintain an arm’s length from the curb to avoid debris and sewer grates.Additional tips and pamphlets are available at KPD.